Golf course opened at CIAL

The CIAL Golf and Country Club (CGCC), developed by the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) on its property, will provide a major fillip to the tourism industry in Kerala, according to the Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

Inaugurating the first phase of the 18-hole golf course at a function here on Sunday, the Minister said when completed, the project would be the first of its kind in the State. Kerala would be witnessing a larger inflow of tourists this year, he said.

He said the project would bring more chartered flights carrying professional golfers to Kochi that would, in turn, add to the aeronautical revenue of the airport company. The CIAL golf course would also attract international tourists as it would enable them to experience the natural beauty of the area while playing golf.

Speaking on the occasion, CIAL managing director C. G. Krishnadas Nair said the CIAL planned to conduct golf tournaments that would increase tourist traffic through the airport and asked the KTDC, tour operators and resort owners to leverage the benefits of golf tourism.

Further, the project was expected to provide indirect employment to the local populace as golf assistants, house keepers and lawn maintenance staff, he said.

Extending his wishes to the success of the project, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V.Thomas, opened the club house while Mohammed Bin Hamed Al Rumhi, the Minister of Oil and Gas from the Sultanate of Oman unfurled the CGCC flag.

Fisheries Minister S. Sarma presided over the function.

Company directors Yususff Ali M.A and P.Muhammad Ali and K. P. Dhanapalan, MP, were among those spoke on the occasion.